Yellow Longnose Butterfly

Forcipiger flavissimus

The Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish, also known as the Forceps Fish, is a beautiful and unique butterflyfish recognized for its bright yellow body and long, narrow snout. Its extended mouth is specially designed for picking small foods from crevices, rockwork, and between coral branches.

This species has a striking color pattern, with a yellow body, white lower face, and dark upper head markings. Its tall dorsal fin and slender shape give it an elegant appearance as it moves throughout the aquarium.

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish are active swimmers and do best in an established aquarium with plenty of live rock, hiding places, and open swimming space. They can be peaceful but should be housed with compatible tankmates that will not outcompete or harass them. They are considered reef compatible with caution, as they may pick at some corals or small ornamental invertebrates.

They should be offered a varied carnivorous diet including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and other high-quality marine meaty foods.

Quick Facts

Care Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: With Caution